WAFCON 2024: “Ghana must work hard to qualify from Group C” – Appiah-Gyapong

Former Ghana forward, Gifty Appiah Gyapong has given her opinion on the nation’s chances ahead of the 2024 Women Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

The former Immigration Lady’s striker shared her thoughts on Group C where the Black Queens are paired against defending champions South Africa, Mali and Tanzania.

Ghana, who are three time runners up from the 1998, 2002 and 2006 editions, are faced with a mountainous task of going past the group.

Appiah Gyapong, who was the vice-captain of the Black Queens in 2018 said of the group: “We would have loved to say this is a “cool chop” [easy group] but the game has changed so much and the game has evolved so much and the development is so rapid especially when it comes to the women’s game,” Appiah-Gyapong told Pan-Africa Football.

“It looks like any country can beat any country regardless of history so that is what we as a country Ghana should take care of. “We cannot just rely on our past glory and say it is Tanzania, it is Mali no.

“Now let’s talk about South Africa, we all know what they are doing and what they have done on the continent. The investment in women football in South Africa is massive. “We are all witnessing the result of it, it has been impressive, they were finalists not too long ago in the tournament.

“If you look at their game, there is a pattern, they have a pattern which makes it beautiful, it makes it so hard for an opponent team if you don’t have that structure going for you. “If you are in a group with a team like South Africa, it is a big deal and there is a lot of work you would have to do as a team to really figure your way out when it comes to playing against South Africa.

“They have enormous experience and experience does a lot for South Africa and they have players who have been with the team for ten to 12 years and they are still playing.”

The Black Queens are yet to win the continental trophy despite finishing second in three occasions and three third place finishes in 2000, 2004 and 2016. They will be led by Swedish trainer, Kim Lars Bjorkegren who has so far taken the team through a series of friendly matches in Ivory Coast, Senegal and Morocco.

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